This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 6/2/2002 8:24:04 PM Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
> And how do you know this without competing? How do I know if my horse has a great temperment, flawless (or near) conformation without competing???? Surely you jest! A horse that is willing to do what I ask, is friendly, happy, willing. A horse that will happily carry a handicapped child, and be patient with the mixed signals the child carries, a horse that never show teeth, pin ears, attempt to kick or run off, that never offers to buck or rear. A horse that comes trotting to you in the pasture, this shows a wonderful temperment. How do I know a good conformation? Common sense. Vet checks. Soundness. Just because a horse isn't competing doesn't mean it isn't working. I don't need a judge to tell me what I have or don't have. I do have a brain of my own, and am capable of using it! To know if I'm doing things right or how my horse is doing under saddle, I do need a set of eyes on the ground sometimes. And for that I have two of the best trainers I could find to help my horses and me come around. I don't have to compete to know if my horse has ability to do what I ask. What I've seen of showing, judging is not the end all, be all of the horse world. So often things are skewed politically, and frankly, I'd rather not be a part of it. Maybe a fjord show or two, just for fun, yes. But for me, showing is a major waste of time. I'd rather go on a trail ride, or take my son on a ride, or learn more classical dressage than ride around a ring trying to earn a ribbon! JMO. But it works for me. :) That being said, this is not a slam on those of you who ENJOY showing. If you enjoy it, great. A lot of people do. But showing is not the only way to know what you've got in your barn. Pamela
